Last updated on emc: 28 Aug 2018

What is a Patient Information Leaflet and why is it useful?

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet.
The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.
For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000.
The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 14894/0007 .

Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets
3. How to take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets are and what they are used for

Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets contain a medicine called aciclovir. This belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses.

Aciclovir can be used to

treat chickenpox and shingles

treat cold sores, genital herpes and other herpes simplex infections

stop these problems returning after you have had them

stop these problems in people whose immune system works less well, which means their bodies are less able to fight infections

2. What you need to know before you take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Do not take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets:

if you are allergic to aciclovir or valaciclovir or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Do not take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets.

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets.

It is important that you drink plenty of water while taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Children

Aciclovir tablets can be used mainly for the treatment of non-severe skin and mucous membranes herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Your child’s doctor will recommend IV aciclovir for the treatment of neonatal HSV and severe HSV infection, if your child’s immune system is not working properly.

Other medicines and Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.

In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Some side effects such as feeling drowsy or sleepy may impair your ability to concentrate and react. Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery.

3. How to take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Taking this medicine

Take this medicine by mouth

Dissolve the tablet in a glass of water and stir before drinking

If you prefer, the tablet can also be swallowed whole with a little water.

Start to take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets as soon as possible.

The dose that you should take will depend on what you have been given Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets for. Your doctor will discuss this with you. An 800 mg tablet is also available.

.

Treatment of chickenpox and shingles

The usual dose is one 800 mg tablet taken five times a day

You should space each dose by 4 hours
Suggested times are: 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm

You should take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets for seven days.

Treatment of cold sores and genital herpes

The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken five times a day

You should space each dose by 4 hours
Suggested times are: 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm

You should take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets for five days, or longer if your doctor tells you to.

Stopping these problems returning after you have had them

The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken four times a day

You should try to space each dose by 6 hours

You should take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

Stopping these problems in people whose immune systems work less well and whose bodies are less able to fight infections

The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken four times a day

You should try to space each dose by 6 hours

You should take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

Your doctor may adjust the dose of Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets if:

it is for a child

you are over 65 years of age

you have kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, it is important to drink plenty of water while you are being treated with Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Talk to your doctor before taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets if any of the above apply.

If you take more Aciclovir Tablets than you should

Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets are not usually harmful, unless you take too much over several days. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take too much Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets. Take the medicine pack with you.

If you forget to take Aciclovir Tablets

If you forget to take Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects:

If any of the following happen, stop taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital.

Allergic reactions (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets and see a doctor straight away. The signs may include:

reduced numbers of blood platelets (cells that help blood to clot) (thrombocytopenia)

feeling weak

feeling agitated or confused

shaking or tremors

hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)

fits

feeling unusually sleepy or drowsy

unsteadiness when walking and lack of coordination

difficulty speaking

inability to think or judge clearly

unconsciousness (coma)

paralysis of part or all of your body

disturbances of behaviour, speech and eye movements

stiff neck and sensitivity to light

inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes (jaundice)

kidney problems where you pass little or no urine

pain in your lower back, the kidney area of your back or just above your hip (renal pain).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine

5. How to store Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Aciclovir Tablets are available in three different strengths:

However, this leaflet applies only to 200 mg strength.

What Aciclovir 200 mg Tablets contain

The active substance is Aciclovir. Each tablet contains 200 mg of Aciclovir.